http://www.lre.www.usace.army.mil/who/operationsofficehomepage/project_overview/kenosha_harbor/

The Public Works Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Common Council all gave their unanimous approval to have the marina dredging work done by Shoreline Builders (Pleasant Prairie) in the amount of $381,500.  The city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for 2012 and 2013 had to be amended to fund the work, though.  The 2013 authorization was moved to 2012 for a net change of $0.  The Public Works Committee also approved the professional services agreement with Ruekert Mielke for construction management of the project.

At the Public Works Committee meeting, Alderperson Steve Bostrom inquired of Mike Lemens, the director of public works, the reason why staff was requesting that the amount be pulled forward from the CIP.  His reply was that “there were insufficient funds to do the work.  We also are requesting a contingency management fund and construction management as part of the project.  We need the funding to do all of that work.”  Bostrom asked if the total was going to be more than $381,500, and Lemens answered that it was.  The grand total is $480,000, which includes staff time.

Bostrom also wanted to know how long it would be before the work would be required again.  Lemens thought it might be three years, maybe two.  “We have to excavate the whole width of the channel.  Before, we did only half.  Plus, it was not as deep as several years ago.  We hope to get better results.  In the interim, we are also looking at a long-term solution.  We may change the breakwater offshore and extend the pier.  Engineering studies need to be done first, though.”  Bostrom wanted to know when they thought they would have a viable long-term solution.  Lemens thought that it would be next year.  “The Army Corps of Engineers may fund half of the cost.  We’d also have to supplement with local funds.  It will cost $100,000 to do the study.  The Corps would fund the first $50,000, but we’d have to match the other half,” Lemens said.

Alderperson Jan Michalski acknowledged all the hard work that everyone involved put in.  Boat owners are very anxious to have this work done in a hurry.  He stated that he was glad to see it moving along.